History (HIST)

Surveys the history of world civilization from its beginnings until approximately 1500 C.E. It spans the globe, covering Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. It covers traditional political, social and intellectual aspects of Western civilization (classical Greece, the Roman Empire, the European Middle Ages and Renaissance), but emphasizes as well the distinctiveness of other cultures and their legacies in the world.

Surveys the history of world civilization from approximately 1500 C.E. to the present. It spans the globe, covering Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. It covers traditional political, social and intellectual aspects of Western civilization (the Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, expansion, modernism and world wars), but emphasizes as well the distinctiveness of other cultures and their legacies in the world.

Surveys American history from pre-contact America, through first European-Indian encounters, the colonial period, the Revolution, society and politics in the early Republic, westward expansion, the slavery issue, and the Civil War.

Encompasses Reconstruction, expansion in the West and overseas, industrialization and the labor movement, involvement in two World Wars, the Cold War, the turbulent 1960s, Civil Rights and Vietnam, and politics and culture from the 1970s to the present.

Explores the history of civilization through a focus on the lives and ideas of key figures that represent watershed moments in human history. We will study figures such as Cicero, St. Augustine, Charlemagne, St. Francis, Luther, Locke, Darwin, Marx, Gandhi, and others who profoundly shaped our modern world. Course readings will be heavily weighted toward primary sources.

Surveys early African history, examines the colonial period and its legacy; examines contemporary issues in the developing nations of the continent.

Surveys briefly the long history of the region, but concentrates on developments since 1900 with a view towards answering the question why the area seems so prone to conflict. Both Israel and the Arab states are studied, as well as their relations to one another and to the West.

Surveys the history of the region, focusing on indigenous civilizations, European exploration and colonization, independence, and social and political problems and events to the present.

Surveys the long history of East Asia with an eye to the present. Special emphasis will be given to the influences of imperialism, diplomacy, nationalism, communism and religion in the East Asia – specifically Japan and China – from roughly 1600 to the present. Recent diplomatic and political history will be emphasized. Of particular interest will be how the civilization of East Asia was transformed as a result of interaction with the West.

Studies the content of United States' foreign policy since World War II; containment and communism, the Cold War, detente, impact of Vietnam; contemporary relations with Russia and Eastern Europe, China, the Western alliance and the developing countries; how American foreign policy is made; analysis of arms control, warfare, military technology and deterrence; economic policies, and contemporary issues confronting U.S. foreign policy.

Is a title given to a course which covers broad themes, practices, and subject content not currently offered in the curriculum. This course is directed primarily at non-majors and may be used for general education where approved.

Is a seminar course for sophomore and transfer students which introduces them to the issues and methodologies specific to the disciplines of history and the social sciences. Research and writing are emphasized.

Explores twentieth century European history, including the major events, phenomena, and figures that shaped this tumultuous period. The emphasis, however, is not only on the ideas, events and people that most influenced and shaped Europe and the modern world, but also on their impact on every person living in Europe. Students will engage as a “community of learners”, developing critical skills of communication and teamwork through discussion groups and role-plays that simulate the choices and constraints that confronted ordinary people in times of upheaval and transition, influencing what they thought and believed and how they acted. Viewing the complex interrelation between the political and the personal promotes both a social and historical awareness of the forces that shape and influence human actions.

Investigates the Second World War, the most expensive, widespread and destructive war in human history. It will examine the origins of the war, the strategies pursued by the participants and the major events in both the Pacific and European theaters from the 1930s until1945. Further, it will consider the global impact of a “total war” from the perspective of both combatants and non-combatants. This course will count as a US, a European or a non-Western history course for the major requirements.

Studies the political development of Eastern Europe and Russia from the formation of the Soviet Union to contemporary times with an emphasis placed on the Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Gorbachev and Yeltsin eras; Marxist ideology; study of Soviet politics and breakdown of the Soviet Union; current social and economic problems and policies.

Investigates the non-academic applications of history. Topics covered include archival methods, historic preservation, museum students, oral history, historical tourism and the theory and practice of public history.

Examines current trends and explores new possibilities for history in the digital medium. At the core, this is a public history course, with an emphasis on presentation to broad audiences. Students will research and practice conservation methods, particularly those suited for digital preservation and presentations (oral history, video, document and photo imaging and so forth). They will also consider various ways for people to experience and participate in history. This course can count for either a U.S. or European history course for the major requirements.

Studies a wide variety of colonial life, including Native Americans, southerners, slaves, New Englanders, and the French in the Midwest. Emphasizes social and cultural history.

Examines society, politics, culture, and everyday life in the early period of the American nation, from the Revolution to the 1850s. Topics covered include the struggle over the Constitution, the challenges of a republican society, the meaning of Jacksonian democracy, tensions on the early frontier, the experience of slavery, and the growing division between North and South.

Considers in depth the causes and progress of the War Between the States and the post-war era of Reconstruction. Particular focus is placed on the experience of African-Americans during and after the war.

Explores America's domestic issues and international involvement from 1877 to 1914. Special attention is given to the experience of ordinary Americans in the dramatic changes wrought by industrialization, urbanization, increased immigration, and Progressive reforms.

This course discusses 1914 to 1945 American society that was transformed through the consumer revolution of the 1920s, the trauma of Depression, increased government involvement with the New Deal, and the experience of two World Wars. This course examines in depth the issues and problems raised in these changes.

Examines American society, culture, and politics from the end of World War II to the 1990s. Some of the major topics addressed include life in the 1950s, the war in Vietnam at home and abroad, the civil rights movement, the women's movement, the counterculture of the 1960s, the new conservatism of the 1970s and 1980s, and current issues in the 1990s.

Surveys American history from the Civil War to the present. The economic, political, and diplomatic development of the U.S. will be analyzed. Topics included in this course are: reconstruction, Westward expansion, the Great Depression, McCarthyism, World Wars I and II, the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, Watergate, the new conservatism of the 1970's and 1980's, and the Persian Gulf War.

Studies the content of United States' foreign policy since World War II; containment and communism, the Cold War, d'tente, impact of Vietnam; contemporary relations with Russia and Eastern Europe, China, the Western alliance and the developing countries; how American foreign policy is made; analysis of arms control, warfare, military technology and deterrence; economic policies, and contemporary issues confronting U.S. foreign policy.

Explores how films have depicted American and world history. Students learn to identify the historical messages in films and to analyze their impact on American society and culture. Discussion will also involve what constitutes a “good” or “bad” historical film, and the ways that film genre impacts historical filmmaking. This cause can count for either a U.S. or European history course for the major requirements.

Introduces students to the variety of women’s historical experiences in the modern Western world and considers how gender helped to shape the modern world as we know it. Analyzing both representative individuals and general trends, this course explores law codes, political and economic participations, gender roles in family and community institutions and religious vocations to shed light on the Renaissance, the spread of Christianity, the rise of commercial economies, the Enlightenment and the creation of nation-states which are often identified as critical steps in the making of Western Civilization. This course counts as a European history course.

Studies the origins and rise of Christian Civilization in Western and Central Europe in the centuries between the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire and the dawning of the Renaissance. Religious and intellectual developments receive as much attention as economic, social, and political affairs.

Covers the early modern period (1600-1815) by examining society, politics, philosophy and religion; particularly emphasizing absolutism and constitutional monarchy, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and Napoleon.

Covers the later modern period (1815 to present) by examining society, philosophy and religion; particularly emphasizing revolutionary and reactionary movements, the Industrial Revolution, nationalism, World Wars I and II, and the Cold War era.

Represents an intensive study of our Greco-Roman heritage in government, education, philosophy, literature, and the fine arts.

Studies Western Europe in the period from 1350 to 1600. Political, socio-economic, and scientific developments and the fine arts are examined. Emphasis is placed on the men of ideas in the worlds of scholarship and religion.

Examines the evolution of office of the Presidency; legislative executive conflict; powers, duties and roles of modern presidents; conceptions of the office; the institutionalized presidency and the process.

Examines the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the United States, investigating the origins of transatlantic cooperation and the creation of common European economic and political structures, notably the European Union (EU) and the development of transatlantic security forces, particularly the North Atlantic treaty Organization (NATO). This long-standing cooperative relationship, based on shared traditions, mutual interests, and historic connections, has provided the framework for international order since the end of the Second World War, yet it is now being challenged by rapidly shifting national and global political, economic, and cultural forces, testing the sustainability of this framework for international order in the 21st century. Specifically, this class examines the populist and national political movements, and nee-authoritarian tendencies that challenge Western democracies, the economic tensions arising from the financial crisis, international trade and regulations, and the often conflicting policies of the transatlantic partners confronted with security problems of terrorism and the non-aligned countries, including Russia and Eastern Europe.

This course explores the international relations of Latin America, a region which includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. We will look at its politics, history, and culture, beginning with an examination of the indigenous civilizations, the European colonization, independence movements, and social and political events and issues of the 20th and 21st centuries. We will also discuss Latin America’s relationship with other countries, particularly its complex relationship with the U.S., and explore the various ways Latin America has dealt with the forces of globalization.

This course surveys the history of East Asia, with an eye to the present. Following brief historical backgrounds, students will be introduced to the modern transformation of societies and cultures of the East Asian countries, particularly China and Japan, but also Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, and North Korea. Besides the political histories of each country, students will study the geography, social structures, thoughts and beliefs, and various economic and globalization approaches these countries have utilized. Online course, 8-weeks. To be offered every 2 years.

Offers a thematic survey of socio-economic forces, political movements, and international relationships which have been operative in much of the world since the French Revolution and which have helped to shape contemporary civilization. Both Western and non-Western cultures are examined. The overriding goal of the course is to guide students to a more thoughtful and sensitive understanding of the modern world, a better appreciation of cultures other than their own, and more responsible citizenship.

examines methods and techniques of teaching the social sciences to adolescents. Questioning and attending skills, professional growth, use of technology, and assessment procedures are included. Teacher candidates will demonstrate an understanding of the various skills needed for teaching the social sciences, specifically history. The course content includes classroom diversity, discipline, and management issues as components of instructional planning and assessment. (40 clock hours of clinical experience required.)

This course covers broad themes, practices and subject content not currently offered in the curriculum. This course is directly primarily at non-majors and may be used for general education where approved.

A course which covers specific themes, practices, and subject content not currently offered in the curriculum. This course is directed primarily to student majoring in the subject area and could be used to complete major requirements. The course will provide an in-depth study of a specific topic. Prerequisites will vary.

The Senior Capstone familiarizes senior history majors with historiographical issues, provides vocational information, and mentors students as they research and write an extended historical research paper. The completed capstone thesis requires the ability to contextualize primary and secondary sources, and skill in crafting an historical argument.

Offers students credit for an international experience that has no existing course requirements or university credit. Fulfillment of this credit will involve study of historical and/or Social Science background of the region visited as well as written reflections of the trip.

Is a title given to a course which covers specific themes, practices, and subject content not currently offered in the curriculum. This course is directed primarily to student majoring in the subject area and could be used to complete major requirements. The course will provide an in-depth study of a specific topic. Prerequisites will vary.

An academic learning experience designed by the instructor. Student must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

An academic learning experience in which the student initiates, designs and executes the course under the supervision of the instructor. Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Requires a senior thesis that is an extended scholarly paper based on research into both primary and secondary source materials, treated according to the canons of historical methodology. The student and the mentor determine the subject matter.

Offers students who meet the requirements an opportunity to apply the theories which they have learned and to test their skills in real world settings. Requires consent of instructor.